Nagoya Hidden Gems: Top 3 Must-Visit Spots for 2026
Uncover Nagoya's best-kept secrets! This 2026 guide reveals three incredible spots—Osu Shopping Street, Tokoname Pottery Village, and Shirakawa-go—for authentic experiences and local charm.
When you search for
Nagoya travel,
Nagoya Castle or Atsuta Shrine
might pop up first,
but travelers actually rave about
some other fantastic places
that are truly special.
There's Osu Shopping Street with its lively atmosphere,
and Tokoname, a ceramic village
where old kiln sites remain as they were.
And a bit further from Nagoya,
but easily doable as a day trip,
is the World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go.
These three places are completely
different in character,
so it's great to choose one that fits your travel style.
I comfortably stayed for 3 nights and 4 days
at Nishitetsu Inn Croom Nagoya Sakae,
near Sakae Station,
and then set off for Osu Shopping Street.
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Osu Shopping Street
Located in Naka Ward, Nagoya City,
it is Nagoya's largest shopping district
with 1,200 stores.
It's composed of 4 main streets
Known as the most vibrant shopping street,
with restaurants, clothing stores, and more,
you can feel the charm of a traditional market.
It's considered Nagoya's busiest street.
Opening Hours
11 AM - 8 PM
Varies by store
Location | How to Get There | Address |
3 minutes from Kami-Maezu Station Exit 8 | Subway Tsurumai Line: Get off at Osu Kannon Station or Meijo Line: Get off at Kami-Maezu Station | 3 Chome Osu, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0011 Japan |
Approx. 12 minutes by subway from Nagoya Station 20 minutes from Sakae Station Fare is around 210~240 JPY |
It's an otaku street where the Cosplay Summit is held,
and one of Japan's top 3 electronics districts,
alongside Tokyo's Akihabara.
There were so many people in cosplay –
a truly fascinating sight!
What are the most famous spots in Osu Shopping Street?
For street food,
Agemanbo (fried buns) is considered a signature item.
1. Komparu Osu Main Branch
The main branch of Nagoya's famous kissaten (traditional coffee shop) chain,
considered one of Nagoya's top 3 kissaten.
Signature Menu: Ebi Fry Sando (Fried Shrimp Sandwich) 980 JPY
Cochin Tamago Sando (Egg Sandwich) 700 JPY
Ogura Toast (Red Bean Paste Toast) 520 JPY
Opening Hours: 08:00~20:45
Specialty: Famous for its coffee brewed using a unique method since its establishment,
and its thick sandwiches.
2. Yakitori Kadoya
A famous yakitori (skewered chicken) spot in Osu Shopping Street
It's well-known for lines forming even before it opens!
Signature Dish: Tebasaki (Chicken Wings)
Operating Hours: 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM (Closed Mondays)
Special Feature: Grilled over Binchotan charcoal
with an old-fashioned U-shaped counter seating,
where you can truly soak in the local atmosphere.
And about a 10-15 minute walk away,
you'll find Yabaton Yabacho,
a restaurant serving Nagoya's iconic dish,
Miso Katsu (fried pork cutlet with miso sauce).
It's a must-visit spot!
Nagoya is also home to the original HARBS Cake shop
and the flagship Komeda Coffee.
It seems like a true foodie paradise!
Towards the end of the market,
you'll find Komehyo,
a shop specializing in luxury vintage items.
The shopping street is distinctly divided into sections
each with its own unique vibe, named after the streets.
To the south, Higashi Nio Mon-dori
is bustling with exotic eateries and restaurants,
giving it a wonderfully jumbled,
eclectic feel.
The central Osu Kannon-dori and Banshoji-dori
are the main streets lined with famous specialty shops.
And to the north, Akamon-dori
is where you'll discover a cluster of figure and hobby shops.
Osu Shopping Street is truly a place
filled with endless fun for browsing!
Tokoname Pottery Village
Tokoname Village is a pottery village where old kiln sites
remain wonderfully preserved,
and it's also home to a truly enormous
Maneki Neko (beckoning cat)!
It's a fascinating place to explore.
Location | Address | How to Get There |
Yakimono Sanpomichi (Pottery Footpath), Sakaemachi, Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture (Look for Tokonyan!) | Sakaemachi, Tokoname, Aichi 479-0836, Japan | From Nagoya Station: Approximately 30-40 minutes by Meitetsu Limited Express to Tokoname Station. One-way fare is about 750 JPY. From Chubu Centrair International Airport, it's just 5 minutes and about 330 JPY. |
What's the Atmosphere like?
Imagine a charming hillside path adorned with brick chimneys and clay pipes,
where the nostalgic charm of old kilns
is beautifully preserved along a tranquil walking trail.
Recently, stylish cafes
and galleries have also popped up,
making it a popular spot for amazing photo opportunities!
You can also buy pottery here,
and even try your hand at making your own!
The Yakimono Sanpomichi (Pottery Footpath) offers
a shorter A Course (1.6 km, approx. 60 minutes)
and a longer B Course (4 km, approx. 2.5 hours) to choose from.
The A Course primarily takes you through narrow alleys with old kilns and chimneys concentrated together,
Great for taking photos
Course B also lets you explore the Ceramic Forest Museum.
With 10 brick chimneys,
the row of Toei kilns
is designated as
a National Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property.
After exploring, we had Nagoya home-style cooking,
and we found a truly amazing restaurant!
They even make their salad dressing by hand
and offer water infused with dried medicinal herbs –
it was a real gem.
Nagoya Tokoname Pottery Village Restaurant
Shirakawa-go
When you think of Nagoya in winter,
Shirakawa-go is the first place that comes to mind.
What's the atmosphere like?
A mountain village with thatched roofs,
where Gassho-zukuri houses gather.
The scenery changes dramatically with each season,
and it's especially famous for its fantastic snow-covered village
during the winter light-up period.
Booking competition is fierce!
Location | How to Get There |
Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Gifu Prefecture (UNESCO World Heritage Site) | From Meitetsu Bus Center next to Nagoya Station, by highway bus: approximately 2.5-3 hours. One-way fare is 3,600 JPY to 4,700 JPY. All seats require reservations, so you must book in advance. There is no train station. |
It's not a suburb of Nagoya,
it's quite far.
Since it's a round trip of over 5 hours,
it's
not really feasible as a half-day course.
Instead, many people
opt for the 'Takayama + Shirakawa-go' one-day bus tour,
where they explore the old streets
of Hida Takayama in the morning
and then head to Shirakawa-go in the afternoon.
It causes much less travel stress
than planning your own trip using public transportation.
Bus Tour at a Glance (Booking)
Klook Takayama + Shirakawa-go | MyRealTrip Takayama + Shirakawa-go |
Booking Price: ~$45 | Booking Price: ~$57 |
8 AM - 6 PM English Guide | 8 AM - 6:30 PM Korean Guide |
10:30 AM: 1 hour 30 min stay Takayama Morning Market Takayama Old Town Takayama Jinya 12:45 PM: Shirakawa-go 2 hours 30 min stay | Hirugano Kogen Rest Stop 10 mins Takayama (Miyagawa Morning Market) 30 mins Takayama Sanmachi Traditional Street 90 mins Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village Observation Deck and Village Walk 2 hours (120 mins) |
Top 2 Restaurants in Shirakawa-go
1. Irori
A restaurant renovated from an old Gassho-zukuri house
1-minute walk from Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal
Features 3 signature set meals + a variety of hot/cold soba and udon.
2. Shiraogi
Feature: Shirakawa-go's representative large restaurant
Menu: Hida Beef Hoba Miso Set Meal
Yuiumabuta Shirakawa-go brand pork
Accommodation in Shirakawa-go
Shiroyamakan
Google Rating 4.9
Address: Ono District, Gifu Prefecture
Ogimachi, Shirakawa Village 1168-1
Limited to just 4 groups per day,
this small guesthouse offers a quiet and private experience.
Managed directly by the fourth-generation family of owners
Features a private Hinoki (cypress) open-air bath
Dishes prepared with wild vegetables foraged by the owner directly from the mountains.
While many visit in winter,
it's also a wonderful place to visit in autumn for its stunning fall foliage.
The winter light-up event
for 2026, is held only 4 times during January and February,
and without a reservation,
entry itself is impossible.
(However, daytime sightseeing is possible without a reservation until 5 PM.)
Reservations usually open in September-October of the year prior to the event,
so if you want to visit in winter,
you'll need to plan your trip several months in advance.
Nagoya was anything but a boring city!
📍 Osu Shopping Street
3 Chome-26 Osu, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0011 Japan
📍 Tokonyan
Japan 〒479-0836 2 Chome, Sakaemachi, Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture
📍 Shirakawa-go
Japan 〒501-5627 Ogimachi, Shirakawa Village, Ono District, Gifu Prefecture
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Nagoya Osu Shopping Street, and what are its general operating hours?
Osu Shopping Street is a 3-minute walk from Osu Kannon Station on the Tsurumai Line or Exit 8 of Kamimaezu Station on the Meijo Line. It takes approximately 12 minutes from Nagoya Station and about 20 minutes from Sakae Station, with fares ranging from 210 to 240 yen. The general operating hours for the entire shopping street are from 11 AM to 8 PM, but individual store hours may vary.
What are the must-try street foods, famous kissaten (cafes), or restaurants in Nagoya's Osu Shopping Street?
A representative street food in Osu Shopping Street is Agemanbo (fried buns). At Komparu Osu Main Store, one of Nagoya's top three kissaten, you can try Ebi Fry Sando (980 yen) and Ogura Toast (520 yen). At Yakitori Kadoya, you can enjoy their famous Tebasaki (chicken wings) skewers, for which people line up even before opening.
Can I experience pottery making in Tokoname Pottery Village near Nagoya? I'd also like recommendations for walking courses.
Yes, in Tokoname Pottery Village, you can not only purchase pottery but also experience making it yourself. You can choose between a short A course (1.6 km, approx. 60 minutes) and a long B course (4 km, approx. 2.5 hours). Course A is great for taking photos, focusing on old kilns and chimneys, while Course B allows you to explore up to the Ceramic Art Forest Museum.
What's the most efficient way to get to the World Heritage site Shirakawa-go from Nagoya, and what are the approximate travel time and cost?
Taking a highway bus from Meitetsu Bus Center next to Nagoya Station to Shirakawa-go takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours, with a one-way fare ranging from 3,600 to 4,700 yen. Since it's a round trip of over 5 hours, many travelers opt for a 'Takayama + Shirakawa-go' day bus tour.
When does Shirakawa-go's winter light-up event take place, and are there any special preparations needed for viewing?
Shirakawa-go's winter light-up event is held only four times in January and February, based on the 2026 schedule. Entry after 5 PM is impossible without a reservation, and reservations typically begin in September-October of the year prior to the event, so you need to plan your schedule several months in advance.
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